Bass. There's more depends on this, than on the value. The dearest ring in Venice will I give you, Por. I see, sir, you are liberal in offers. You taught me first to beg; and now, methinks, Por. That 'scuse serves many men to save their gifts. An if your wife be not a mad woman, And know how well I have deserved this ring, For giving it to me. Well, peace Well, peace be with you! [Exeunt PORTIA and NERISSA. Ant. My lord Bassanio, let him have the ring; Let his deservings, and my love withal, Be valued 'gainst your wife's commandment. Bass. Go, Gratiano, run and overtake him; Give him the ring; and bring him, if thou canst, Unto Antonio's house ;-away, make haste. [Exit GRATIANO. Come, you and I will thither presently; [Exeunt. SCENE II. The same. A Street. Enter PORTIA and NERISSA. Por. Inquire the Jew's house out, give him this deed, And let him sign it. We'll away to-night, And be a day before our husbands home. This deed will be well welcome to Lorenzo. Enter GRATIANO. Gra. Fair sir, you are well overtaken. My lord Bassanio, upon more advice,1 Hath sent you here this ring; and doth entreat Por. That cannot be This ring I do accept most thankfully, And so, I pray you, tell him. Furthermore, I pray you, show my youth old Shylock's house. Sir, I would speak with you.— I'll see if I can get my husband's ring, [To PORTIA. Which I did make him swear to keep forever. Por. Thou mayst, I warrant. We shall have old 2 swearing, That they did give the rings away to men; Away, make haste; thou know'st where I will tarry. Ner. Come, good sir, will you show me to this [Exeunt house? ACT V. SCENE 1. Belmont. Avenue to Portia's House. Enter LORENZO and JESSICA. Lor. The moon shines bright.-In such a night as this, When the sweet wind did gently kiss the trees, 1 i. e. more reflection. 2 of this once common augmentative in colloquial language there are various instances in the plays of Shakspeare, in the sense of abundant, frequent. Jes. In such a night, Did Thisbe fearfully o'ertrip the dew; Lor. In such a night, Stood Dido, with a willow in her hand, Jes. Medea gathered the enchanted herbs That did renew old Eson. Lor. In such a night, In such a night, Did Jessica steal from the wealthy Jew; And with an unthrift love did run from Venice, As far as Belmont. Jes. In such a night, Did young Lorenzo swear he loved her well; Lor. In such a night, Did pretty Jessica, like a little shrew, Slander her love, and he forgave it her. Jes. I would out-night you, did nobody come. But, hark, I hear the footing of a man. Enter STEPHANO. Lor. Who comes so fast in silence of the night! Lor. A friend? What friend? Your name, I pray you, friend? Steph. Stephano is my name; and I bring word, My mistress will before the break of day Be here at Belmont. She doth stray about 1 So in the Merry Devil of Edmonton: "But there are crosses, wife: here's one in Waltham, At Ceston; and 'tis ominous to pass And this is a reason assigned for the delay of a wedding. I Lor. Who comes with her? Steph. None, but a holy hermit, and her maid. pray you, is my master yet returned? Lor. He is not, nor we have not heard from him. But go we in, I pray thee, Jessica, And ceremoniously let us prepare Some welcome for the mistress of the house. Enter LAUNCelot. Laun. Sola, sola, wo, ha, ho, sola, sola! Lor. Who calls? Laun. Sola! Did you see master Lorenzo, and mistress Lorenzo? Sola, sola! Lor. Leave hollaing, man; here. Lor. Here. Laun. Tell him, there's a post come from my master, with his horn full of good news; my master will be here ere morning. [Exit. Lor. Sweet soul, let's in, and there expect their coming. And yet no matter;-why should we go in? [Exit STEPHANO How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank! Sit, Jessica. Look, how the floor of heaven There's not the smallest orb, which thou behold'st, Still quiring to the young-eyed cherubins; Such harmony is in immortal souls; 1 A small, flat dish or plate, used in the administration of the Eucha rist; it was commonly of gold, or silver-gilt. But whilst this muddy vesture of decay Doth grossly close us in, we cannot hear it.—1 Enter Musicians. Come, ho, and wake Diana with a hymn; [Music. Jes. I am never merry, when I hear sweet music. Lor. The reason is, your spirits are attentive; For do but note a wild and wanton herd, Or race of youthful and unhandled colts, Fetching mad bounds, bellowing, and neighing loud, If they but hear perchance a trumpet sound, You shall perceive them make a mutual stand, By the sweet power of music. Therefore, the poet Nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds, Let no such man be trusted.-Mark the music. Enter PORTIA and NERISSA at a distance. Por. That light we see is burning in my hall. How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a naughty world. Ner. When the moon shone, we did not see the candle. Por. So doth the greater glory dim the less. 1 The folio editions, and the quarto printed by Roberts, read"Such harmony is in immortal souls; But whilst this muddy vesture of decay Doth grossly close in it, we cannot hear it.” |